2018 Bentley Bentayga V8 launched at Rs 3.78 crore

If you liked the Bentley Bentayga but always thought that a 6.0-litre W12 petrol engine in a big, heavy SUV was overkill, then the Bentayga V8 is now on sale, and is priced at Rs 3.78 crore (ex-showroom, without options).

The 4.0-litre, twin-turbocharged V8 powering this Bentayga produces 549hp and 770Nm of torque, which is down on the W12 by 59hp and 130Nm. Mated to an eight-speed automatic that sends power to all four wheels, the V8 takes the over-two-tonne Bentayga from 0-100kph in an impressive 4.5sec (the W12 does it in 4.1sec), and on to a top speed of 290kph, which isn't too far off the W12's 301kph top speed.

The V8 also brings efficiency gains. Bentley claims the Bentayga V8 has a range of 746km on a full tank (85 litres), and aiding the fuel-saving is cylinder deactivation technology, which shuts off one bank of cylinders at low speeds. There's also the option of equipping the Bentayga V8 with carbon ceramic brakes all around, with 440mm discs at the front and 370mm units at the rear.

On the outside, the V8 stays largely identical to the top-of-the-line W12, although red-painted front brake callipers are a subtle nod to this Bentayga's new engine. As standard, the Bentayga V8 runs on 21-inch wheels, and buyers can opt for smaller wheels (20-inch) or bigger ones (22-inch). In addition, the Bentayga V8 also gets a tweaked front grille and tail-pipe design.

On the inside, there's a new wood and leather steering wheel, and a gloss carbon-fibre trim finish for the doors, centre console and dashboard. In addition, a new colour for the leather upholstery is available – the chestnut-coloured ‘Cricket ball’.

The Bentayga V8 is about Rs 34 lakh cheaper than the W12 variant, and its closest rival will be the soon-to-be-launched 2018 Range Rover SVAutobiography facelift, and the Rolls-Royce Cullinan, which will also be launched in India later in 2018.